Cultural competence deals with the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultural backgrounds. There are four distinguishable qualities of cultural competence: awareness of your own cultural worldview, your attitude towards cultural differences, knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews and cross-cultural skills.Competence is only achieved after you have obtained an ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people of different cultures.
Competence ideally requires only three things: open-mindedness, knowledge and skill. Open-mindedness is extremely important initially and throughout the experience. One cannot settle into a culture successfully without being able to recognize differences, no matter how different, and accept them. Knowledge comprises awareness (understanding that there are differences) and knowing the social norms. Lastly, one must have the skills to incorporate all of this into his or her cultural experience.
I've studied a lot about the Korean culture since I will be studying abroad there in the fall. I'm looking forward to arriving in South Korea, a place I've never visited before, and achieving cultural competence there. Of course, I don't know exactly what to expect, but I've done my fair share of research on everything from cultural phrases among younger generations to acceptable/unacceptable gestures. For example, one shouldn't call over someone with their hand and fingers facing upward. It is considered rude because it is equivalent to calling over a dog. In Korean society, the proper way to call someone over is quite the opposite--keep your palm and fingers downward. It is important to note that even something as small as a gesture or learning a few words like "hello" or "thank you" in the language will make a good impression. A good first impression is all you need to get your foot in the door.
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